SLJ has a short article:Gaming, Learning, and Libraries on efforts to get gaming used in libraries.
In a recent library system meeting on Summer Reading programs, I was shocked to be the only one in the room who had even heard of gaming programs in libraries, much less the only one actually doing them. I am now considering installing Civilization and other strategy games on some of our computers, maybe the laptops.
Are you gaming in your library? How do you do it? What games do you play?
Author: Tasha
Children's Fantasy
NPR : Children’s Fantasy Lit in the Modern World is a full-length program of Talk of the Nation dedicated to discussing children’s fantasy. Neil Gaiman, Christopher Paolini and Tamora Pierce are guests.
Snowman Is Tops
The Online Independent has the story that “Snowman” is named top story for Christmas. A survey shows that English children’s favorite Christmas tale is Raymond Briggs’ Snowman. I must say, they have great taste!
Let's Read a Film!
The Christian Science Monitor has an article Hollywood turns a page on Micheal Flaherty, the president of Walden Media and his desire to create films that get kids reading.
Clueless Mysteries
VOYA is offering an article, Clueless 2005: Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal, free online. It offers great ideas for school librarians in high schools as well as recommendations for public librarians serving older teens.
Jeanne Birdsall Article
The Boston Globe has an article: A storybook beginning on the recent winner of the National Book Award, Jeanne Birdsall. Her first novel, The Penderwicks, is an old-fashioned tale set on Cape Cod. The article tells about Birdsall’s personal story. A series of installments following The Penderwicks are in the works.
Poorer Children Less Likely to Read for Pleasure
Guardian newspaper from the UK reports Poorer children ‘less likely’ to read for pleasure. The study results are fascinating, especially with the report sayiing that researches believe that the enjoyment of reading is central to learning. Yes! You must enjoy reading in order to perfect it and to understand its power. If it is just drudgery, you will never understand the joy and insight that reading offers.
Inexcusable
Inexcusable by Christopher Lynch has proven to be the type of book you either love or hate. I happen to love it, as much as one can love a dark character study. It is the story of Keir, a teenage boy, who rapes a girl but cannot come to terms with how he as a “good guy” did it. The majority of the book is flashbacks to the previous year as he tries to demonstrate what a good person he really is. But through all of the glimpses into his life, darkness shines rather than goodness. It is an incredible achievement that Lynch has been able to create a character so in denial but allow the reader to realize how damaged the character, his family, and his life truly is.
This type of book is really why I read. Getting into the head of a violent teen boy is something I could never have done without this book. Keir is such a complex character and by the end, the reader feels slightly sickened about the fact that they understand this boy to such an extent having lived in his skin.
Glorious achievement. This is one that I am rooting for to win the Printz or Printz honor this year. I am hoping that the darkness and fearsomeness of the topic does not turn people away, because in the end, it is not a book about rape but a book about what families and society can do to a weak boy.
Rowling on the Radio
Living with Harry Potter is an interview on BBC Radio 4 with J K Rowling. The interview is wonderfully conducted by Stephen Fry, who reads the books on the audio versions in the UK. Rowling speaks about the value of scaring children in books, how the audio books have affected her writing, the secret ending, and much more. Wonderful stuff!
And I must admit I am very jealous that the radio in England plays Harry Potter books as treats around Christmas time. What a wonderful gift for children.
